Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has launched a fierce defence of the national side after sections of the British media branded the current Pakistan team the "worst team in 50 years" following their crushing innings-and-103-run defeat to England in the first Test at Headingley.

Butt, who captained Pakistan in all three formats during his career, questioned the tone of the criticism and pushed back against what he perceived as English arrogance, arguing that Pakistan had never claimed to be a dominant force in world cricket.

Butt's Fiery Response

"We never said we were world champions. We never claimed to be a big team, nor did we boast about ourselves," Butt stated. "What do you think of yourself? What kind of things do you say? Phases come in teams. Teams might not play well."

Butt did not stop there. In a pointed comparison between the two nations, he turned his attention to England's history of fielding players born outside the country, arguing that Pakistan — regardless of its current struggles — fields a team developed entirely within its own cricket system.

"At least no matter how our team is, even if it's the worst ever, it's our own," Butt declared. "It's not from a Commonwealth, with the captain from Ireland, the wicket-keeper from South Africa... one guy from Scotland, one guy Australian, and one guy from the West Indies. This isn't six nations playing as a team."

England's Dominant Victory

The comments came after Pakistan were comprehensively outplayed in the opening Test of the three-match series. England sealed an innings and 103-run victory inside three days on Friday to take a 1-0 lead.

England dismissed Pakistan for 135 in 37.3 overs in their second innings after taking a commanding 238-run first-innings lead. Mohammad Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan with 41, but England's four-man pace attack consistently troubled the visitors throughout the match.

Jofra Archer removed both openers, while Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue claimed eight wickets each across the match. Robinson finished with figures of 8-80 and was named player of the match, while Tongue took 8-89 in a devastating display of fast bowling.

A New Era for England

The victory also marked the beginning of a new era for England following Ben Stokes' retirement and Brendon McCullum's departure as Test coach. England captain Joe Root praised his side's performance after the comprehensive win.

"Brilliant performance," Root said. "You look at the prep we had leading in, coming straight from the Hundred, the fact we're in a slight transition stage. I thought the way that we dealt with all of that, the clarity and the way the guys approached this week has been outstanding."

The second Test of the series will offer Pakistan a chance to respond, but the visitors will need a significantly improved performance to level the series against a confident England side.